Why are farmers' markets so important to our local community

In recent times it has become even more important to us to stay close to home. This means that we’re all really interested in shopping locally, supporting our neighbour’s business, and knowing, really knowing, where our food comes from. 

The Covid19 pandemic has seen a resurgence in people growing vegetables, rearing chickens and making sourdough bread among other home maker pursuits.  We’ve begun to realise that properly made; home-grown food just tastes better and so we’re eating better quality, more sustainable food. We all win.

The Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group (MRSG) very quickly and decisively ensured the viability of the Woodend market throughout the pandemic crisis by committing to a Covid safety plan. This positive thinking meant that our local growers and producers could be confident that their efforts would not go to waste and the people of the Macedon Ranges were extremely grateful to be able to still access fresh, local produce.

A secondary initiative of the MRSG under the leadership of Robert Bruhn was the establishment of the Farmers’ Market Online (FMO). A click and collect model that operates on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month. The FMO has been received enthusiastically by many who were unable to attend a market or chose not to do so.

We are now in a “Covid Normal” phase which means that we can relax just a little, although the Farmers Market Action Group are not leaving anything to chance, there will still be Covid safety measures in place at least for the foreseeable future.

We’re looking forward to market enthusiasts tasting their way around the market, while enjoying live music, hot coffee and catching up with friends.  See you on the first Saturday of the month!

And if you can’t make it to the market, give Farmers Market Online a try.